PUEBLO — The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office activated its emergency operations center at least through election night. That means camera surveillance and officers and deputies patrolling polling places.

Emergency center staff monitor ballot drop-off locations and polling centers in real time.

“Most of us are just going about our business, just looking at the cameras to see if fights break out, people try to steal a box or set fire to a box,” said Joshua Johnson, emergency management coordinator for the sheriff’s office. .

“We don’t spy or monitor who people vote for,” Johnson said.

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office reported no issues prompted the extra security, but wanted to be proactive.

A father and son couple submitted their ballots in person, which they said made them feel more comfortable knowing there were extra security measures in place.

“For us to have no excuse, we need to come down, we need to vote, we need to have your voice, it means a lot, I’m very grateful to Pueblo County for making sure we’re safe to do that,” James Odette said.

Odette said she made sure her son voted for himself. “I was afraid that if I was seen to slip in two ballots, it wouldn’t create a problem.”

“If somebody wants to take my ballot, it’s going to be kind of weird, but I’m not really worried about that,” another Pueblo County voter, Kenney Baker, said. “If there are a few bad actors, then I’m sure they will be caught.”

I saw a Pueblo police car drive by as people waited patiently for county election workers to pick up their ballots.

“I’ve never felt unsafe voting, but I think with the increased awareness of fair elections, it’s good to have security here,” Tom Herzog said.

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